Can filling machine



March 1964 J. M. MILLER ETAL 3,125,136

CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed July 10, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jack M. Mi/Asn Lew/s fi'fll/ay, Maraha/l long, and

. Ova/lea E Rapp- By Wg/Ia%m ATTORNEY.

llllllllllllW March 17, 1964 J. M. MILLER ETAL 3,125,136

CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed July l0, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 if? .2. 0 m 52 5/ as as 52 q um i 4 m9 m0 4 9 a? g x m/uewrans. i (6/ Jaok M. Mil/er, E 76 96 Len/i5 fll/ey, 43 95 2 Mans/10 long, and Char/es E 'fiapp. 7/ BY Mama/ E ATTORNEY March 17, 1964 J. M. MILLER ETAL 3,125,136

4 CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed July 10. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Lew/Z5 E A/Iey,

Mars/1a 1.0175, and

Char/as E flapp- BYM ATTORNEY United States Patent This invention relates to a filling machine particularly adapted for filling cans with a measured amount of pastelike material, such as a meat mixture.

For example, in preparing a canned product consisting of meat and gravy, the necessary components are combined to form a conglomerate mixture free of voids and trapped air. Such mixtures are extremely viscous and have sticky or paste-like characteristics, so that they will not flow except under high pressure; consequently, it is diflicult to fill each can with a uniform volume or weight of the mixture, particularly without trapping air in the cans.

With this in mind, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide apparatus for filling cans that includes one or more nozzles over which an operator applies an open end can with the inner face of the bottom thereof pressing against the open end of the nozzle. Then when pressure is applied by means of a ram, the mixture is injected into the can, with the mixture entering the can at the inside bottom thereof, and as the can is backed off from the nozzle by the entrance of the mixture, the air in the can is displaced around the nozzle progressively with filling, thereby eliminating entrapment of air because of the viscous characteristics of the mixture.

It is also an object of the invention to provide the filling machine with a measuring apparatus including a rotor having a diametrical bore containing a floating piston therein, and with the respective ends of the bore being movable in alternate connection with the nozzle and with a supply duct, to receive a charge of the mixture on one side of the piston and to unload a previous charge on the opposite side of the piston into the nozzle that is associated therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a can filling machine whereby the full quantity of measured material is ejected into the can when the ram reaches the end of its stroke, and any material sticking to the face of the ram is cleanly wiped ofi into the can by the operator turning the rim of the can across the face of the ram.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a filling machine that is synchronized with the movements of the operator, so that when the filled can is removed from the nozzle an empty can its in place at the beginning of the ejection stroke.

A further object of the invention is to provide an adjustable piston to change the volume of the charge, as when using diflferent sized cans or when the cans are to be packed with different amounts of the mixture.

ther objects of the invention are to provide each nozzle with a ram for discharging the mixture into the cans; to provide means for operating the rams in timed relation with a continuous movement of the rotor; to provide a can filling machine wherein the rotors and pistons are easily removed for cleaning of the machine and sterilization thereof; and to provide a machine of simple construction and capable of withstanding the high pressures necessary to produce flow of highly viscous or paste-like materials during canning thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to provide for adjustments of the pistons from the exterior of the rotor casings.

3,125,136 Patented Mar. 17., 1964 in accomplishing these and other objects of the invention as hereinafter pointed out, we have provided im proved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section of a can filling machine embodying the features of the present invention, the section being taken on the line 11 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the machine on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section through the machine on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the position of the piston in the rotor after a charge has been admitted into the bore thereof and a previous charge unloaded into the nozzle by movement of the piston responsive to pressure of the incoming charge.

PEG. 5 is a View similar to FIG. 4, but showing the rotor being moved to seal off the newly admitted charge and the ram in the nozzle being actuated to displace the previous charge into a can.

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of one of the rotor chambers with its exhausted nozzle.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ram for discharging the mixture from the nozzle.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section through one of the rotor pistons, to better illustrate the adjustable feature thereof.

FIG. 9 is a detailed perspective view of one of the rotors and its piston being shown removed from the bore and in spaced relation therewith.

FIG. 10 is a section through the rotor on the line litil.ti of PEG. 9.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a can filling machine constructed in accordance with the present invention. The machine may comprise one or more filling units, depending upon the volume of the product to be canned and the number of operators required to keep the cans moving in accordance with the various process steps to be accomplished in a particular canning operation. We find that a simple, practical machine composes two filling units, each unit eing served by an operator, and acting alternately by a single power mechanism. In this way the operating mechanism may be kept in balance, the feed of the material substantially continuous, and the movements of the operators best coordinated to provide a continuous uniform movement of the filled cans to the subsequent steps in a canning process.

The machine illustrated, therefore, includes a frame 2 for supporting two units, generally designated by the numerals 3 and 4. The frame 2 has rear legs 5 and 6 that are connected at their upper ends by a transverse rail 7 and at a point near the !lower ends thereof by a transverse rail 8. Extending forwardly from the transverse rail '8 are side rails 9 and 10, having the forward ends interconnected by a front trans-verse rail 11 which is supported at its ends on short legs 12 and 13. The legs 12 and 13 and the rear legs 5 md 6 preferably are provided with adjusting devices 14 for leveling the frame on the floor. Extending upwardly from the side rails 9 and 10 at a point intermediate the front and rear legs are uprights 1S and 16 that cooperate with the rear legs in carrying upper side rails 17 and 13. Connected with the legs 5 and 6 at a point below the upper side rails 17 and 18 are side rails 19 and 20 having their forward ends projecting from the uprights and connected by spaced rails 21 and 22. The latter rails are spaced apart horizontally With the inner transverse rail 22 being located at the front side of the uprights 15-16 and the forward rail is cantilevered therefrom by means of the side rails 19 and 23. The rear legs 5 and *6 are also connected between the side rails i7 and 18 by a transverse rail 2'3. The firont transverse rail 11 preferably extends laterally beyond the position of the uprights 15, as shown in 'FIG. 2, to carry a support 24 for mounting a motor 25 to :furnish the power for operating the can filling units 3 and 4-, as later to be described.

The filling units 3 and 4 each include a rotor housing 26 having the axis thereof arranged transversely of the machine and above the outer ends of the spaced apart transverse rails 21 and 22, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rotor housings are of like construction except for being rights and lefts, to accommodate a common rotor drive therebetween. The right rotor housing is best illu trated in FIG. 6, and includes a cylindrical wall 28 having radially extending end flanges 29 and 30'. The end flange 29 on the drive side of the housing constitutes a support therefor, and is secured to a plate 31 by fastening devices, such as bolts 32. The lower end of the plate 31 is attached to an angle bracket 33 that is fixed transversely of the ends of the transverse rails 21 and 22. The upper end of the plate 31 carries an angle 34 that connects with a corresponding angle of the other rotor housing by a transverse plate 35 by fastening devices 36. The plate 31 constitutes the inside closure of the rotor chamber 37. The outside closure of the rotor chamber consists of a removable disk 38 that is fined to the flange 30 by studs 39 that are rigidly connected with the flange 3t) and project through suitable openings in the disk 3% when the disk 38 is to be clamped to the flange by nuts 40 having heads 41 of a size and shape to facilitate easy manipulation thereof. The plate 31 and the disk 38 have axial openings 42 and '43, respectively registering with outwardly extending bearings 44 and 45 located in the axis of the housing located on the outer sides thereof.

Each of the rotor housings has an inlet opening 46 in the lower side thereof and which connects with a nipple 47 that is welded to the wall 28. Each housing also has an outlet opening 48 in the upper side thereof that connects through a collar 49' with a nozzle 50 for the righ hand rotor housing and with a nozzle 51 for the lefthand rotor housing. Each nozzle comprises an elongated tubular body 52 having an inlet opening 53 in connection with the collar 49 at a point spaced rearwardly from the outlet end 54 of the nozzle. The outlet end of each nozzle is encircled by a flange 55 to better position the cans thereover and to guide the cans as they are backed off the nozzles, as later to be described. Each rotor housing and the nozzle carried thereby thus overhang the sides of the main portion of the frame, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Rot-atable in each of the rotor housings is a rotor 55 and 57, respectively. The rotors are also of like construction, and one of them is best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, which show an annular wall 58 having an outer surface 59 closely fitting the inner face of the cylindrical wall of the housing, and which is of sufiicient width to bridge the inlet and outlet openings of the housing and provide adequate rotary seals, as best shown in FIG. 2.

Extending diametrically across the rotor and having its ends welded to the inner face of the wall 58 in registry with diametrically opposed openings 59 and 69, is a tube 61 forming a diametrical bore 62 across the axis of rotation. The ends of the rotor are closed at the sides of the tube '61 by disks 63 and 64, welded to the inner face of the wall 58. The disks 63 and 64 carry flanges 65 and 6-5 that are welded to the outer faces of the disks in registry with the axis of rotation. The outer flange 66 of each rotor carries a stub shaft 67 that is rotatably mounted in the bearing 45 of the removable disk 38, and the flange on the inner wall carries a shaft 63 rotatably mounted in the bearing 44 carried by the plate 31. Each outer stub shaft 67 carries a ring 70 by which the rotor is pulled from the housing for cleaning purposes, as will later be described. Each shaft as has a key groove 69 for connection with a common driving mechanism located between the can filling units.

The driving mechanism includes a speed reduction unit 71 carried between the rails 2122 and the plate 31 at a point intermediate the brackets 33. The speed reduction unit has a housing '72 provided with upper and lower flanges 73 and 74 that are secured, respectively, to the rails 21-22. and the plate 31 by fastening devices such as bolts 75. Extending ctrom opposite sides of the housing 72. in substantial alignment with the driving shafts 68 of the can filling units 3 and '4 are power shafts 7n and '77. The power shafts are connected with the rotor driving shafts by flexible couplings '73 and 79, each having sleeve portions fiti on the outer sides thereof for providing sockets 81 equipped with keys 82 to engage the grooves 69 when the driving shafts slide thereinto when the rotors are inserted into their housings. The rotors are driven continuously in the same direction to alternately connect the opposite ends of the bores 62 with the inlet and outlet openings of the rotor housing, as later to be described. The speed reduction unit has a power input shaft 84 that projects from the rear side thereof to carry a pulley $5. The pulley 85 is driven by an aligning pulley as on the power shaft '87 of the motor 25, previously referred to, the driving connection being effected by an endless belt '38 operating in grooves of the respective pulleys.

Reciprocably mounted in the diametric bore 62 of each rotor is a piston 89 that is reciproc-ated from one end of the bore to the other under pressure of the can filling material when the bore registers with the inlet and outlet ports of the rotor housing. The pistons, therefore, separate measured charges of material on the inlet side of the pistons from previously measured charges on the outlet side of the piston, and to unload the previously measured charges through the outlet openings and into the bores of the nozzles, for transfer into cans, in a manner to be later described.

In order to adjust the pistons and thereby vary the measured charges according to the size of the cans, each piston is preferably formed of two sections 90 and 91 (see FIG. 8), each of which has an axial internally threaded bore 92 and 93, with the threads of one of the bores being righthand threads and the threads of the bore in the other section being lefthand threads, to threadedly engage the right and lefthand threads 94 and 95 on the ends of a connect-ing rod 96. The rod 96 is adapted to be turned within the threaded bores of the piston sections to draw them together or push them apart to provide an overall piston length to give the required displacement, thereby varying the space within the rotor bore that is not occupied by the piston. The inlet and outlet openings of the rotor housings are preferably of smaller diameter than the diameter of the bores 62 of the rotors, to provide stop shoulders 97 and 97 for the respective ends of the pistons. The ends of the piston section are rounded transversely in accordance with the curvature of the rotor housings. Therefore, the pistons are prevented from turning within the bores by keys 98 in the bores engaging grooves 99 in the pistons.

In order to turn the connecting rods 96 from one or the other ends of the pistons, the ends of the connecting rods have transverse grooves 100 for engaging a suitable tool therein, such as the shank of a screwdriver (not shown).

To facilitate adjustment of the pistons without disassembling the rotors from the rotor housings, each rotor housing has a nipple 1011 in one diametrical side thereof, as best shown in FIG. 6. The nipple is closed by a threaded plug 102 when the machine is in operation, but when the pistons are to be adjusted, the plugs are removed and the rotors turned sufficiently to register one or the other ends of the bores with the openings in the nipples 101. The shank of the screwdriver may then be readily inserted through the unplugged nipples 101 and into the registering groove ltitl at that end of the pistons. To facilitate movement of the pistons under adjustment,

and to avoid pulling of the vacuum or applying pressure to the material at the opposite ends of the pistons, the bores are vented to atmosphere through ports 104, located in the sides of the rotor housing opposite the nipples 101 and which have petcocks 105 screwed therein to open and close the vents.

The material to be canned is supplied under continuous pressure through a manifold 106 having branches 107 and 108 that are connected to the nipples 47 by unions 109.

With the piston and rotor arrangement, a measured charge is loaded into the nozzles on each half-rotation of the rotors, and it is necessary to eject measured charges of material from the nozzles into the cans before a succeeding load is discharged from the rotors into the nozzles. The ejection of the material from the nozzles is effected by rams 110 and 111 that are reciprocable in the nozzles to push the measured charges from the nozzles into the cans and to withdraw across the inlet ports to allow entrance of a succeeding charge into the nozzles. Consequently, the movements of the rams must be in timed relation with rotation of the rotors, and this is accomplished with crank and lever mechanisms operated by the speed reduction unit, as now to be described.

Fixed to the rear legs 5 and 6 are bearing brackets 112 and 113 carrying a stationary shaft 114. The shaft 114 has the ends thereof projecting outwardly from the bearings to journal thereon rocker arms 115 and 116 that extend upwardly therefrom and which have the ends 117 and 1 18 terminating substantially in alignment with the axis of the nozzles, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, to carry hinge pins 119 and 120 that pivotally connect the rear ends 121 of links 122 and 123. The forward ends 124 of the links extend into slot-like openings 125 that are formed in the rear ends of the rams. Carried by the rams and extending through the forward ends of the links are wrist pins 127 and 128 for reciprocating the rams when the rocker arms are actuated in timed relation with the rotors.

Fixed upon the side rails 9 and are bearing brackets 129 and I130 for rotatably mounting a countershaft 131. The ends of the countershaft project from the hearing brackets and carry diametrically opposed cranks 132 and 133, respectively. The cranks carry wrist pins 134. The rocker arms also have similar pins 135 and connecting the pins on the cranks with the pins on the rocker arms are links 136. The countershaft is rotated by a sprocket 137 fixed on the power shaft 77 to operate a sprocket 138 on the countershaft 131 through an endless chain 139 operating over the respective sprockets. With this arrangement, the pistons are alternately operated and kept in timed relation with the rotors. In order to produce a lag in the retractive movements of the rams after they have cleared the inlet ports of the nozzle, the links 122 and 123 have lost-motion connection with the hinge pins I119 and 120 on the rocker arms through slots 140, as best shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5.

In order to adjust the stroke of the pistons without changing the position of the countershaft, the bearings supporting the shaft 114 are adjustably spaced from the legs 5 and 6 to which they are attached by insertion of one or more shim plates 141, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. By selecting a number of shims of proper thickness, the desired stroke of the rams may be selected to assure 'clearing of the nozzles of a charge of material on each forward stroke of a ram.

Assuming that the machine is constructed as described, the operation thereof is as follows:

The pistons 89 are first adjusted so that when one of the sections 90 or 91 is seated against the inner surface of the wall 28 of the rotor housing, the end of the other section is in a position relatively thereto so that the capacity of the bore between the end face of the latter section 6 and the surface of the wall 28 corresponds in volume with the cans A to be filled.

This adjustment is easily made by removing the plugs 102 and opening the petcocks 105. The rotors are then turned by hand until the transverse grooves in the connecting rod 96 are registering with the openings in the nipple 101. The shank of a screwdriver may then be inserted and fitted into the grooves 100 of each rod 96. By thus turning the rods 96, the piston sections may be moved to and from each other until the proper filling space is provided in each rotor. Upon replacement of the plugs 102 and closing the petcocks 105, the adjustment is completed.

If the rams and 111 do not reach the discharge ends 54 of the nozzles so that they project approximately one-sixteenth of an inch, one or more shim plates 141 may be added or removed from under the bearing brackets 112 and 113 until the rams are properly located in the nozzles. In this way the position of the rams may be adjusted without disturbing the crank and link connections that actuate the rocker arms and 116.

With the motor 25 connected to a suitable source of current supply and the manifold 6 connected with a source of material to be canned, the machine may now be placed in operation. An operator stands in front of each of the filling units 3 and 4, to place an empty can A on each nozzle 50 and 51 and to remove the can when filled. The cans A are sleeved over the nozzles so that the bottoms B thereof engage upon the outlet end of the nozzles, with the walls C of the cans loosely encircling the flanges 55 on the discharge ends of the nozzles, as shown in FIG. 4. Placement of the empty cans on the nozzle displaces most of the air in the cans, the air escaping through the annular space that is afforded between the walls C of the cans and the Walls of the nozzles, as shown by the arrows D.

Both filling mechanisms operate in like manner, with the rotors 56 and 57 rotating continuously in the same direction of rotation, the drive being effected by the motor 25 through the pulley 86 thereof driving the belt 88 to actuate the speed reduction unit 71. The speed reduction units transmits the power through the shafts 76 and 77, flexible couplings 7S79, and the rotor shafts 63-68 to the rotors that are directly connected therewith. During rotation of the rotors 56 and 57, the diametrical bores 62 therein are carried into and out of connection with the inlets 46 and 53 of the nipples 47 and the nozzles, respectively. The pistons 8939, being contained in the bores 62, are moved first to one and then the other end of the bores to be stopped by the annular walls of the rotor housings 26 under pressure of the material E in the supply manifold 106. While the rotors are in operation, the rams are being actuated alternately in time with the rotors. This is being effected by the countershaft 131 that is driven by the sprocket 137 on the power shaft '77 through the chain 139 and sprocket 138, as best shown in FIG. 3. Rotation of the cranks 132 and 133 swings the rocker arms 115 and 116 through the link connections 136. Swinging of the rocker arms reciprocates the rams 110 and 111 alternately in the nozzles.

An example of one cycle of operation for the filling unit 4, starting with the piston and ram positions illustrated in FIG. 1, is as follows: A measured charge F of a previous cycle is filling the space in the bore 62 and the piston 80 is moving across the inlet port 46 and subject to the pressure of the material in the manifold 106. Since the outlet 48 of the bore 62 is moving across the inlet 53 of the nozzle, and since the nozzle is open to atmosphere, the pressure on the side of the manifold starts movement of the piston toward the outlet 48. This movement of the piston displaces the charge F into the nozzle, ahead of the ram 111, as illustrated in FIG. 4. At this time the ram dwells during movement of the crank 133 into and across the dead center position relatively to the link 136. With further advancement of the crank from dead center position, the rocker arm begins to move in the direction of the arrow M2, but the ram remains stationary while the pin 120 is being carried through the slot 140. This dwell of the ram gives ample time for transfer of the charge F into the nozzle. During this part of the cycle, a following charge has entered the bore 62 on the retractive side of the piston, as indicated at G (FIG. 4). By the time the charge F has been forced from the rotor into the nozzle, the piston is stopped by the stop portions '77 on the wall of the rotor housing and the piston cooperates with the wall of the rotor to close the inlet 53 of the nozzle, as the rotor continues rotation (FIG. 5). As soon as the pin 120 reaches the forward end of the slot 140 (also see FIG. 5), the ram 111 begins to move at accelerated speed, since the crank 133 is now past dead center, thereby forcing the charge F from the nozzle into the can A (FIG. 5). The can A is backed off from the nozzle progressively with the filling thereof, to eliminate voids and entrapped air. The cans are thus filled from the bottom and the air remaining in the can escapes from the open end thereof ahead of the flow of the material. Any material sticking on the face of the ram is easily wiped off by the operator dragging the rim of the can across the slightly projecting face of the ram. This is possible since the ram slows down to a stop as it reaches the discharge end of the nozzle incidental to the action of the crank and the dwell afforded by movement of the pin 119 rearwardly of the slot 140. When the pin 12% reaches the rear end of the slot 140, the crank arm 116 again picks up the action and retracts the ram to the position shown in FIG. 1, ready for the following charge G.

The operations as described in the single cycle are repeated in succeeding cycles. The operator can easily synchronize his placement and removal of the cans with the movement of the ram. The operator at the other filling unit 3 synchronizes his movements with the ram of that unit, so that the work of the two operators alternates to provide a substantially continuous supply of filled cans from the filling machine, as well as a substantially continuous flow of the material from the source of supply.

After the end of a run, the parts of the machine in contact with the material may be easily and quickly cleaned. The fastening nuts 44) are removed from the studs 39. The disks 38 are then removed by sliding them off the studs 39 and off the stub shafts 67 of the rotors. The rotors 56 and 57 are removed through the open side of the rotor housings 26 by grasping the rings 70 and pulling them outwardly to withdraw the rotors. The driving shafts 68, being attached to the rotors, slip out of the sleeve portions of the flexible couplings and through the inside bearings 44 of the rotor housings. The key grooves 69 in the shafts 68 freely disengage from the keys 83, that remain attached to the sleeve portions of the flexible couplings.

After removal of the rotor, the pistons 89 may be pushed out of the bores 62 of the rotors.

The rams 110 and 111 are removed by drawing the pins 119 and 120 from the rocker arms 115 and 116 and pulling the rams out of the rear ends of the nozzles.

The nozzles, rotor housings and piping may then be washed out and sterilized with steam. After washing and sterilizing the parts which have been removed, the various parts are replaced by reversing the order of their removal.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that we have provided a machine for the satisfactory canning of products having sticky and viscous paste-like characteristics, such as various meats and gravy, stews, and the like.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A machine for filling cans with a pasty material, including a nozzle having a discharge end over which an empty can is sleeved with the bottom of the can abutting the discharge end of the nozzle, a ram in the nozzle, a rocker arm, a link connecting the rocker arm with the farm, a crank, a link connecting the crank with the rocker arm for swinging the rocker arm to reciprocate the ram from a retracted position in said nozzle to a projected position with the ram projecting slightly from the discharge end of the nozzle, and means for injecting a measured quantity of material directly into the nozzle at a point between the retracted position of the ram and said discharge end of the nozzle for ejection into the can during movement of the ram to said projected position, one of said links providing a lost motion connection to supplement lag of the ram at limits of its movement.

2. In a can filling machine, a rotor housing having an inlet and having an outlet opposite the inlet, a rotor in the rotor housing and having a diametrical bore which in one rotational position of the rotor connects with the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing, a piston slidable in the bore between the inlet and outlet and consisting of sections having axial bores therein provided respectively with right and left threads, a rod having corresponding threads on ends thereof engaging the threads of the piston sections, said rod having means on at least one end thereof to be engaged by an adjusting too], said rotor housing having an opening between the inlet and outlet and having a valved vent substantially opposite the said opening, a plug closing said opening and removable therein for insertion of a tool to adjust the piston sections to and from each other when the vent is opened for adjusting the intake capacity of the bore in accordance with the size of cans to be filled, means for supplying a material to be canned to the inlet of the rotor housing under pressure to move the piston from the inlet to the outlet for filling an end of the bore on the retractive end of the piston with a charge of the material and to displace a previous charge through said outlet, and means for turning the rotor in the rotor housing.

3. A can filling machine including a rotor housing having an inlet and having an outlet opposite the inlet, a discharge nozzle in connection with said outlet of the rotor housing and having a discharge end over which a can to be filled is sleeved with the bottom of the can covering the discharge end of the nozzle, a rotor in the rotor housing and having a bore which in one rotational position of the rotor connects with the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing, a piston slidable in the bore between the inlet and outlet, means for supplying a material to be canned to the inlet of the rotor housing under pressure to move the piston from the inlet to the outlet for filling an end of the bore on the retractive end of the piston with a charge of the material and to displace a previous charge ahead of the piston into the nozzle, a ram reciprocable in the nozzle across the outlet of the rotor housing for moving the material from the nozzle and against the bottom of a can held upon the discharge end of the nozzle to fill the can as the can is backed off the nozzle under movement of the ram, means for turning the rotor to bring the end of the bore containing the piston to said inlet for another charge of the material, and means for reciprocating the ram in the nozzle.

4. A can filling machine including a rotor housing having an inlet and having an outlet opposite the inlet, a discharge nozzle in connection with said outlet of the rotor housing and having a discharge end over which a can to be filled is placed with the bottom of the can covering the discharge end of the nozzle, a rotor in the rotor housing and having a bore which in one rotational position of the rotor connects with the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing, a piston slidable in the bore between the inlet and outlet, means for supplying a material to be canned to the inlet of the rotor housing under pressure to move the piston from the inlet to the outlet for filling an end of the bore on the retractive end of the piston with a charge of the material and to displace a previous charge ahead of the piston into the nozzle, a ram reciprocable in the nozzle across the outlet of the rotor housing for moving the material from the nozzle and against the bottom of a can held upon the discharge end of the nozzle to fill the can as the can is backed off the nozzle under movement of the ram, means for turning the rotor to bring the end of the bore containing the piston to said inlet for another charge of'the material, a crank, a driving connection between the crank and the turning means for the rotor to drive the crank, a rocker arm, a link connecting the crank with the rocker arm, and a link connecting the rocker arm with the ram for reciprocating the ram in timed relation with turning of the rotor.

5. A can filling machine including a rotor housing having an inlet and having an outlet opposite the inlet, a discharge nozzle in connection with said outlet of the rotor housing and having a discharge end over which a can to be filled is placed with the bottom of the can covering the discharge end of the nozzle, a rotor in the rotor housing and having a diametrical bore which in one rotational position of the rotor connects with the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing, a piston slidable in the bore between the inlet and outlet and consisting of sections having axial bores therein provided respectively with right and left threads, a rod having corresponding threads on ends thereof engaging the threads of the piston sections, said rod having means on at least one end thereof to be engaged by an adjusting tool, said rotor housing having an opening between the inlet and outlet and having a valved vent substantially opposite the said opening, a plug closing said opening and removable therefrom for insertion of a tool to adjust the piston sections to and from each other when the vent is opened for adjusting the intake capacity of the bore in accordance with the size of cans to be filled, means for supplying a material to be canned to the inlet of the rotor housing under pressure to move the piston from the inlet to the outlet for filling an end of the bore on the retractive end of the piston with a charge of the material and to displace a previous charge ahead of the piston into the nozzle, means for moving the material from the nozzle and against the bottom of a can held upon the discharge end of the nozzle to fill the can as the can is stacked off the nozzle, and means for turning the rotor to bring the end of the bore containing the piston to said inlet for another charge of the material.

6. A can filling machine including a rotor housing having an annular wall provided with an inlet and having an outlet diametrically opposite the inlet, a discharge nozzle having an inlet in connection with said outlet of the rotor housing and having a projecting discharge end spaced from the inlet to accommodate a can to be filled when placed thereon with the wall of the can loosely encircling the nozzle and with the bottom of the can covering the discharge end of the nozzle, plates closing sides of the rotor housing, one of said plates being removable, bearings on said plates, a rotor in the rotor housing and having a bore which in one rotational position of the rotor connects with the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing, a piston slidable in the bore between the inlet and outlet, a stub shaft projecting from one side of the rotor and rotatable in the bearing on the removable plate, a drive shaft projecting from the opposite side of the rotor housing and rotatable in the bearing of the other plate, a driving means having a key connection with the driving shaft, means for supplying a material to be canned to the inlet of the rotor housing under pressure to move the piston from the inlet to the outlet for filling an end of the bore on the retractive end of the piston with a charge of the material and to displace a previous charge ahead of the piston into the nozzle, means reciprocable in the nozzle for moving the material from the nozzle into a can held upon the discharge end of the nozzle to fill the can as the can is backed off the nozzle under pressure of the material filling the can, and means for reciprocating the ram in the nozzle, said rotor being removable from the rotor housing for cleaning purposes upon removal of said removable plate with the driving shaft slipping from said key connection.

7. A machine for filling cans with a pasty material, including a nozzle having a discharge end over which an empty can is sleeved with the bottom of the can abutting the discharge end of the nozzle, a ram reciprocable in the nozzle, means for feeding the material under continuous pressure toward the nozzle, measuring means connecting the feeding means with the nozzle at a point ahead of the ram in the retracted position of the ram for separating a quantity of the material corresponding to the size of the can and discharging said quantity of material directly into the nozzle under pressure of said feeding means, means for actuating the measuring means, and means for actuating the ram in timed relation with the actuating means for the measuring means to discharge said quantity of material from the nozzle into the can as the can is backed off the nozzle under thrust of the ram.

8. A machine for filling cans with a pasty material, including a nozzle having a discharge end over which an empty can is sleeved with the bottom of the can abutting the discharge end of the nozzle, a ram reciprocable in the nozzle, means for feeding the material under continuous pressure toward the nozzle, measuring means connecting the feeding means with the nozzle at a point ahead of the ram in the retracted position of the ram for separating a quantity of the material corresponding to the size of the can and discharging said quantity of material into the nozzle under pressure of said feeding means, means for actuating the measuring means, means for actuating the ram in timed relation with the actuating means for the measuring means for discharging said quantity of material into the can as the can is backed off the nozzle under thrust of the ram, and means for providing dwell of the ram in said retractive position during injection of the measured quantity of material into the nozzle by the measuring means.

9. In a can filling machine, a rotor housing having an inlet and having an outlet opposite the inlet, a rotor in the rotor housing and having a diametrical bore which in one rotational position of the rotor connects with the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing, a piston in said bore and movable between the inlet and outlet of the rotor housing, a nozzle extending substantially tangentially of the rotor housing and having a lateral inlet opening directly connected with the outlet of the rotor housing, said nozzle having a discharge portion extending from said lateral inlet opening to sleeve a can thereon with the bottom of the can closing the nozzle, means for supplying a material to be canned to the inlet of the rotor housing under pressure to move the piston from the inlet to the outlet for filling an end of the bore on the retractive end of the piston with a charge of the material and to displace a previous charge ahead of the piston directly into the nozzle, means for turning the rotor in the rotor housing, a ram reciprocable in the nozzle to displace said charge from the nozzle into the can, and means for reciprocating the ram in timed relation with the rotor rotating means.

10. A can filling machine including a rotor housing having an inlet and having an outlet opposite the inlet, a discharge nozzle extending substantially tangentially of the rotor housing, a collar encircling the outlet and directly connecting the nozzle with the rotor housing, said nozzle having a discharge end over which a can to be filled is sleeved with the bottom of the can covering the discharge end of the nozzle, a rotor in the rotor housing and having a diametrical bore which in one rotational position of the rotor connects with the inlet and the outlet of the rotor housing, a piston slidable in the bore between the inlet and outlet, means for supplying a material to be canned to the inlet of the rotor housing under pressure to move the piston from the inlet to the outlet for filling an end of the bore on the retractive end of the piston With a charge of the material and to displace a previous charge ahead of the piston directly into the nozzle, a ram axially reciprocable within the nozzle for moving the material from the nozzle and against the bot tom of the can to fill the can as the can is backed off the nozzle under movement of the ram, means for reciprocating the ram, means for turning the rotor in time with movement of the ram to bring the end of the bore containing the piston to said inlet for another charge of the material, and means in said ram reciprocating means for dwell of the ram on the retractive movement thereof to give time for movement of the material into the nozzle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,104,726 Bates July 21, 1914 1,693,261 Sweetland Nov. 27, 1928 2,540,741 Krueger Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 384,269 Germany Nov. 8, 1923 

1. A MACHINE FOR FILLING CANS WITH A PASTY MATERIAL, INCLUDING A NOZZLE HAVING A DISCHARGE END OVER WHICH AN EMPTY CAN IS SLEEVED WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE CAN ABUTTING THE DISCHARGE END OF THE NOZZLE, A RAM IN THE NOZZLE, A ROCKER ARM, A LINK CONNECTING THE ROCKER ARM WITH THE RAM, A CRANK, A LINK CONNECTING THE CRANK WITH THE ROCKER ARM FOR SWINGING THE ROCKER ARM TO RECIPROCATE THE RAM FROM A RETRACTED POSITION IN SAID NOZZLE TO A PROJECTED POSITION WITH THE RAM PROJECTING SLIGHTLY FROM THE DISCHARGE END OF THE NOZZLE, AND MEANS FOR INJECTING A MEASURED QUANTITY OF MATERIAL DIRECTLY INTO THE NOZZLE AT A POINT BETWEEN THE RETRACTED POSITION OF THE RAM AND SAID DISCHARGE END OF THE NOZZLE FOR EJECTION INTO THE CAN DURING MOVEMENT OF THE RAM TO SAID PROJECTED POSITION, ONE OF SAID LINKS PROVIDING A LOST MOTION CONNECTION TO SUPPLEMENT LAG OF THE RAM AT LIMITS OF ITS MOVEMENT. 